It could be a decisive weekend in the Carling Currie Cup as the teams contending for both top spot and the semifinal positions look to put some space between themselves and the rest with three rounds to play after this.
The battle at the top is between the Vodacom Bulls and the Toyota Cheetahs, with the Bulls currently holding a one-point lead over their rivals from Bloemfontein. However, the Cheetahs have a game in hand and will be looking to capitalise on any potential slip-up by the Bulls in the only game to be played on Saturday, which is the one at Loftus between the log leaders and Windhoek Draught Griquas.
Griquas were unlucky to lose to the Cell C Sharks in a tight, low-scoring game a month ago and need to pick up points in an away game to make up for that loss. Griquas are currently four points behind the third-placed Sharks, who in turn are seven behind the second-placed Bulls. So there is potential for gaps to open up on several fronts.
Perhaps the bigger concern for Griquas right now is the team in fifth place, in other words on the outside peering into the semifinal places. The Airlink Pumas are just five behind Griquas but have a game in hand, and the Pumas can make up some of that ground if they beat the Sharks in the first game of the weekend at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday afternoon.
This game was rescheduled from Saturday, probably because of a clash with soccer, with AmaZulu sharing the venue with the Sharks. The Sharks have Boeta Chamberlain starting at flyhalf for the first time since he kicked all 24 Sharks points in the first-round game in Nelspruit, which the Sharks won 24-10.
The Pumas have picked up some momentum since then, however, as they were galvanised by their impressive big win over DGK Western Province in the last game of the opening half of the competition. They will travel to Durban in a determined mood and know what a victory could mean to them, particularly if Griquas stumble in Pretoria the following day.
The late game on Friday is between the Sigma Lions and the Cheetahs, with the Cheetahs selecting what looks like their strongest possible team. The Lions look stronger than they have been, but should still not be a match for the Cheetahs, who should reclaim top spot by the end of Friday’s play and leave it to the Bulls to catch them and possibly overtake them again on Saturday.
The Lions were much improved in their most recent game against Griquas, but that match was played in the more atmospheric Wits Stadium. They are back at Emirates Airline Park this week.
WP, who were much better in their narrow loss to the Cheetahs on Good Friday than they had been previously but are languishing second from last, have a bye this weekend.
Currie Cup Weekend fixtures
Cell C Sharks v Airlink Pumas (Durban, Friday 4.45pm)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Prediction: Sharks to win by 10
Sigma Lions v Toyota Cheetahs (Johannesburg, Friday 7pm)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Prediction: Cheetahs to win by 20
Vodacom Bulls v Windhoek Draught Griquas (Pretoria, Saturday 5pm)
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Prediction: Bulls to win by 15.